France, Oct. 15 -- "France is currently aiming to get a budget that would put deficit and debt on a downward trajectory," IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said, speaking at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok.

However, she added that it would "take time before it could come down to levels that are providing confidence - full confidence - to people and to the investor community".

France is not alone in facing higher borrowing costs, but has attracted scrutiny in recent weeks as its fiscal difficulties collide with a fragmented parliament, mounting public anger over spending cuts - as demonstrated in recent weeks by protesting school pupils - and an impending presidential election.

The IMF has previously warned th...